Thursday 20 December 2018

AUTHOR FAVOURITES: THE BIG SHUTDOWN by JOHN M. WHALEN


John Whalen (writing as John M. Whalen) is the author of ‘hybrid’ novels where the western meets the future, or the lone gunman hero is as likely to encounter vampires or monsters as regular bad guys.

John tells me he likes THE BIG SHUTDOWN because ‘it was my first attempt at a Space Western… It gave me room to stretch out.’

Across the desolate Planet Tulon Jack Brand, former officer in the Tulon Security Force, is on a lone search. Seven years ago his sister, Terry, was kidnapped by the Wilkersons, a nomadic outlaw gang. Brand has sworn never to leave Tulon until he finds her. But time is running out. The energy conglomerates that own Tulon are shutting the planet down, although it’s still rich in oil. Soon the last ships will leave for Earth.

Brand travels from desert wasteland to steaming jungles, from a city at the bottom of the sea to a desert town run by alien gangsters. He battles the many perils of Tulon with his quick wits, fast reflexes, and the Electro-Pistol holstered to his hip.

Ostensibly re-running the 1960 Randolph Scott western COMANCHE STATION in space, John soon whisks us off into completely new territory.

Also included is an additional story from John's "This Raygun for Hire." series, featuring Frank Carson, a futuristic trouble shooter for hire.


Nancy Gates and Randolph Scott in ‘Comanche Station (1960)’

A lost sister – kidnapped by Comanches - features in THE SEARCHERS (1956), of course.


Brother and sister (Jeffrey Hunter and Natalie Wood) re-united in ‘The Searchers

And in the world of TV Westerns the whole premise of the 1976 series THE QUEST was about two brothers searching for their sister after she was carried off by the Cheyenne.


 Kurt Russell and Tim Matheson search for their lost sister in ‘The Quest

Once again I’d reference my contender for best TV Western episode ever: THE HIGH CHAPARRAL episode ‘Ride the Savage Land.’ Having rescued one white girl from the Apaches holding her captive, the High Chaparral crew attempt to rescue her sister (Claire Wilcox, pictured) from them also.    




The dystopian future elements of THE BIG SHUTDOWN reminded me of movies from MAD MAX (anarchy in a society depending on oil)


Mel Gibson in ‘Mad Max’ (1979)

to OUTLAND (1981.)


Reviews of THE BIG SHUTDOWN:

‘Readers are in for a rootin' tootin' fun ride… will remind readers just why pulp fiction, westerns, and ray guns belong together.’

‘Quick, thrilling, and at times quite thoughtful.’

‘Recommended for space opera/space western fans of all ages.’ 


https://www.amazon.com/Big-Shutdown-John-Whalen-ebook/dp/B017ME7YXC and https://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Shutdown-John-Whalen-ebook/dp/B017ME7YXC

Wednesday 12 December 2018

AUTHOR FAVOURITES: GOSHEN HOLE by WAYNE D. DUNDEE

You can’t pigeon-hole Wayne D. Dundee! He writes westerns (winning a Peacemaker award), mysteries (nominated for numerous awards), crime novels, a novel about vampires, a boxing-meets-the-underworld novel…

Many of his books feature PI Joe Hannibal. Wayne tells me he likes GOSHEN HOLE, because it essentially re-invented the character when he re-located from Illinois to Nebraska.

Joe investigates the disappearance of a friends’ ex-wife with the help of William Thunderbringer, mercenary turned bounty hunter; they clash with a drug-dealer aptly named Matanza, `The Bloodletter'.

A PI (or cop) with a Native American sidekick reminded me of the 1992 film THUNDERHEART,


Val Kilmer and Graham Greene in ‘Thunderheart’ (1992)

or Burt Reynold’s 1966 TV series ‘HAWK.’



Reviews of GOSHEN HOLE:

‘One of the very best of the Joe Hannibal novels… a no-nonsense full-tilt-boogie romp.’

‘Dundee hits all the high points of a good PI novel, fuelling the mystery with testosterone and gunfire.’

‘Plenty of action, good dialogue and just enough humour to sweeten the pot.’

https://www.amazon.com/Goshen-Hole-Joe-Hannibal-Mystery/dp/1479189421/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Wednesday 5 December 2018

AUTHOR FAVOURITES: AND FLESH AND BLOOD SO CHEAP by WAYNE D. DUNDEE


You can’t pigeon-hole Wayne D. Dundee! He writes westerns (winning a Peacemaker award), mysteries (nominated for numerous awards), crime novels, a novel about vampires, a boxing-meets-the-underworld novel…

Many of his books feature P. I. JOE HANNIBAL. Wayne tells me AND FLESH AND BLOOD SO CHEAP is probably his favourite Hannibal novel: ‘It came closest to getting down exactly what I set out to do.’

When Joe investigates a murder in a small Wisconsin summer resort, he encounters the hostile-community-hiding-a-guilty-secret syndrome of BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK.


Robert Ryan, Spencer Tracy and (definitely having a bad day) Ernest Borgnine in ‘Bad Day at Black Rock’ (1954)

Wayne acknowledges a debt to Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer, but the lakeside resort location reminded me of my favourite Raymond Chandler novel THE LADY IN THE LAKE.


Cloris Leachman and Ralph Meeker (as Mike Hammer) in ‘Kiss Me Deadly’ (1955)


Mickey Spillane


Robert Montgomery as P. I. Philip Marlowe in ‘Lady in the Lake’ (1946)


Raymond Chandler

Reviews of AND FLESH AND BLOOD SO CHEAP:

‘This is Joe Hannibal at his best. Prime crime fiction.’

‘Superb.’

‘The Hannibal tales have a sort of wild, rough energy and two-fisted swagger to them that just hits the spot.’

https://www.amazon.com/Flesh-Blood-So-Cheap-Mysteries/dp/1891946161 and https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flesh-Blood-Cheap-Hannibal-Mysteries/dp/1891946161/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543651242&sr=8-1&keywords=and+flesh+and+blood+so+cheap+wayne+d.+dundee